Happy Labor Day: Examination of Farm Workers

This year's Labor Day is an especially rewarding holiday for me. It's the first Labor Day in which I have my first full-time journalism job.

Before, my Labor Day was usually spent waitressing and later finishing up homework for Tuesday morning class.

Now, I can fully appreciate Labor Day--a full 24 hours of dedication to the social and economic achievements of American workers. In 1894, Congress passed the act declaring it a national holiday--so, we've been celebrating a lot since then.

But before we celebrate once again, let's take a look out what's going on with our American farmers.

In honor of Labor Day, financial media company,Minyanville, looked at the state of ten labor unions. Read the full article here.

Robinson wrote, "Documented and undocumented farm workers and their families fled Alabama in large numbers, many to neighboring states like Florida, in fear of immigrations authorities."

"Many pulled their children from schools and left their jobs without warning. The situation became so dire that Alabama agriculture commissioner John McMillan proposed an inmate work-release program to tend to the neglected farm work."

Information seminars hosted by the United Farm Workers, local law firms, and the Alabama Farmers Federation sprang up instantly. Unfortunately, the labor shortage continued in the state.

Even though the immigration law was introduced around this time last year, the controversy surrounding it continues.